@article{ee42d3d93f6a4e388610de16cf30e06a,
title = "Infrastructure diplomacy and strategic signalling within the Three Seas Initiative",
abstract = "Different manifestations of infrastructure diplomacy have been used as a prime example of how major powers dissatisfied with their position in the international system have been using economic tools to pursue their national objectives. On the other hand, the status quo powers have attempted to counter these moves by implementing their own versions of infrastructure diplomacy. This article explores the said dynamics within the context of the Three Seas Initiative (TSI). Merging insights from international relations, international economics and strategic project management, this article interrogates how the heightened geopolitical competition spills over to regional economies through infrastructure diplomacy and major infrastructure projects and whether and how policymakers deploy economic tools in major infrastructure projects to promote geopolitical interests within the TSI. Our findings imply that while informal state-to-state signalling is a predecessor to corporate-to-corporate signalling, formal state-to-state signals also support corporate-to-corporate actions.",
keywords = "European Union, infrastructure diplomacy, Russia, signalling, Three Seas Initiative, United States",
author = "Gorana Grgi{\'c} and {\D}uro Kolar and Maja Ba{\v s}i{\'c}",
note = "Funding Information: Since its launch in 2015, strengthened energy security and integrated internal electricity and gas markets have been the core pillars of the EU{\textquoteright}s Energy Union (European Commission ). Clearly, these policy objectives are inextricably linked to the national security and sovereignty of EU countries. The EU has made considerable strides in developing the appropriate regulatory framework and investing in strategic energy infrastructure to address the high risk of energy supply emergencies. Over 30 strategic energy projects have been implemented since the Energy Union{\textquoteright}s inception, and a large number of those have focused on the most vulnerable regions, such as the CEE (European Commission ). Furthermore, under the EU{\textquoteright}s LNG Strategy, adopted in 2016, the European Commission committed to ensuring each member state will have access to three sources of gas – LNG, pipeline gas, and natural gas storage – by 2022 (European Commission ). Furthermore, the European Commission has recently adopted the latest version of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs). These are key cross-border energy infrastructure projects for building a more integrated and resilient EU internal energy market and pursuing our energy and climate goals. This fifth PCI list comprises 98 projects: 67 projects in electricity transmission and storage, 20 in gas, six CO2 network projects and five smart grid projects. All PCI projects are subject to streamlined permitting and regulatory procedures and are eligible for financial support from the EU{\textquoteright}s CEF (European Commission ). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.",
year = "2023",
doi = "10.1080/14683857.2022.2111803",
language = "English",
volume = "23",
pages = "229--249",
journal = "Journal of Southeast European and Black Sea",
issn = "1468-3857",
publisher = "Taylor & Francis",
number = "2",
}